I am the owner of two dogs, and Edinburgh streets are overrun with dogs off-lead wandering through cycle lanes, jumping up at strangers, crossing roads without their owners and attacking other dogs (which are on lead), and it's about time the law intervened. 

Dog owners are putting their dogs' and other people's dogs' lives, and people's lives, at risk by allowing their dogs to be off lead on pavements and public streets. 

Two months ago, I had to save a French Bulldog and Westie running on the road on Great Junction Street. Both were off lead and panicked, running in between cars who swerved to avoid the dogs. I risked my safety to catch their frightened dogs in the road. No owner was in sight until ten minutes later, when an older gentleman appeared from around the corner (clearly having been in a shop) and left his dogs, unleashed, waiting for him outside. He had no idea they had run away, spooked by something, and nearly both died or caused a crash. The owner was unfazed, did not even thank me and walked off with his dogs still not on leads, and I have seen him walking them without since.

A few weeks ago, I witnessed a white dog, off-lead, attack a smaller dog (on lead) walking down the street near the shore. The dog was rushed to an emergency vet, and the owner of the attacking dog fled the scene. Over the years, I have seen countless dogs off-lead almost be git by cyclists around the city, with one cyclist tumbling over to protect the dog that ran until his lane.

There needs to be an end to this. No amount of professional training can make a dog predictable under all circumstances. No owner can predict how their off-leash dog will react if they witness a car crash, an unexpected building site crash, or even a fight in the street.

I don't want to see a dog die by tram or car because a selfish owner refused to control their dog and respect other people's spaces, other people's dogs and their personalities (timid, anxious or unfriendly dogs do not want to be approached by an off-lead dog), and other people's preferences and phobias (many are allergic or terrified of dogs). I don't want to see another dog being attacked and killed by an off-lead dog when their owner was taking them for a peaceful morning walk, and I don't want to see a vehicle crash and see someone get seriously hurt because an irresponsible owner risked their dog's life by leaving it off-lead to be spooked, chased or tempted to run after something. 

Allow dogs to run on beaches and even in parks, but dogs should not be off-lead on public streets and walkways to keep both the dogs and others safe.